Let the FCC Know How You Feel About Net Neutrality Changes

The Net Neutrality battle has moved on as the FCC voted 3-2 to move their new proposed rules into the public comment period. So what does this mean for the average Internet user? If it all goes forward as FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is pushing, it would allow ISPs to charge companies for access to “high-speed” paths along the Internet, and those who don’t pay, will get lower speeds for data traffic.

This is a fundamental change in how the Internet has worked since its beginnings. Up until now it’s been very democratic, with everyone getting the same treatment for their data packets. That allowed a lot of companies (like Livid Lobster) to push content (like GeekBeat.TV) to people with a speed and quality that rivaled what the largest media corporations could do. Predictably, the large media corporations don’t really like that competition, so they’ve been trying to get the rules changed.

I was a guest on FOX 4 TV in Dallas to give them my thoughts on all this. I think access to the Internet should be a fundamental human right, like access to water. You cannot exist and compete in the modern economy without equal access to the communication networks that make up the Internet.

There’s about a four month period to let the FCC know what you think about these proposed rules. You can leave a comment for them here, or send them an email here. It’s your Internet, and this is your chance to fight to keep it.